Ecological and Human Health Risk Assessment of Metals in Peruvian Avocados Using a Probabilistic Approach

This study evaluated the ecological and health risks associated with metals in Peruvian avocado cultivation from a One Health perspective. Between January and September 2025, a total of 190 soil and fruit samples were collected from major producing regions (Amazonas, Áncash, Ayacucho, Cusco, Huancavelica, Ica, La Libertad, and Lima) to quantify arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), mercury (Hg), nickel (Ni), and lead (Pb) using microwave plasma atomic emission spectrometry (MP-AES). Results showed regional variability in soil metal concentrations, with higher As (76.17 ± 17.35 mg/kg), Cd (0.55 ± 1.04 mg/kg), and Pb (25.35 ± 6.02 mg/kg). Cr concentrations in avocados were below the detection limit (<0.003 mg/kg), while As (<0.003-0.192 mg/kg), Cd (<0.005-0.130 mg/kg), Hg (<0.005-0.428 mg/kg), Ni (<0.005-0.172 mg/kg), and Pb (<0.005-0.396 mg/kg) exhibited broader concentration ranges. Bioaccumulation (BAF) values < 1 confirmed low translocation. The geo-accumulation index (Igeo) and ecological risk (ER) indicated uncontaminated or moderately contaminated soils with low ecological risk. In terms of health risk, the hazard quotient (HQ) and hazard index (HI) were <1, representing a low level of concern for non-genotoxic effects. The cancer risk (CR) values for both metals ranged from 10^-8 to 10^-5, indicating a non-significant carcinogenic risk for Pb (<10^-6) and an acceptable risk for Cd (10^-4).